System of Healthcare Management

€Strategic Plan Development

€Policy and Procedure Development

€Design will vary drastically based on number of athletes, teams, and various needs of the program

€Size

€Location

€Illumination

€Special Service Areas

Treatment Area: area that accommodates 4-6 adjustable treatment tables, 3-4 stools, and hydrocollator and ice machine accessibility

Electrotherapy Area: area that houses ultrasound, diathermy, electrical stim units, storage units, grounded outlets, treatment tables and wooden chairs, under constant supervision

Hydrotherapy Area: area with centrally sloping floor to drain, equipped with 2-3 whirlpools, shelving and storage space and outlets 5 feet above the floor

Exercise Rehabilitation Area: area that provides adequate space and equipment to perform reconditioning of injuries

Taping, Bandaging & Orthotic Area: 3-4 taping tables and storage cabinets to treat athletes with proximity to a sink

PhysicianΉs Exam Room: space for physician to work which may hold exam table, lockable storage, sink, telephone, refrigerator

Records Area: space devoted to record keeping which may include filing system or computer based database, that allows access only to medical personnel

€Storage Facilities

€Storage in training room that holds general supplies and special equipment

€Athletic TrainerΉs Office

€Additional Areas

Pharmacy Area: separate room that can be secured for storing and administrating medications (records must be maintained concerning administration)

Rehabilitation Pool: if space permits, must be accessible to individuals with various injuries,  with graduated depth and non-slip surface

X-Ray Room: separate room with lead shielding in walls, large enough to house necessary equipment

€Scope of Program

Who will be served by program?

Athletic trainers should be sure to work within their scope (physically active)

Fitness programming may also become an ATCΉs responsibility in this setting

Providing Coverage

€Athlete

Promotion of good health and hygiene is critical

€Athlete clearance to participate

€Athlete insurance

€Prompt injury and illness reporting

€Follow good living habits

€Avoid sharing clothes and towels

€Exhibit good hygiene practices

€Avoid common drinking sources

 

€Emergency Injury Management

Accessing emergency personnel outside setting in the event of emergency

Include transportation of athletes to emergency facilities

Meeting with outside personnel is necessary to determine roles and rules regarding athlete and equipment care

 

 

€Roles and responsibilities must be established

(job descriptions - job specifications, accountability, code of conduct, and scope)

€Head athletic trainer must serve as a supervisor and work to enhance professional development of staff

€Performance evaluations should take place routinely

Record Keeping

€Major responsibility

€Rule not the exception - accurate and up-to-date

€Medical records, injury reports, insurance information, injury evaluations, progress notes, equipment inventories, annual reports

Administering Pre participation Examinations

€Initial pre-participation exam prior to start of practice is critical

€Purpose it to identify athlete that may be at risk

€Should include

Medical history, physical exam, orthopedic screening, wellness screening

€Establishes a baseline

€Satisfies insurance and liability issue

 

€Examination by Personal Physician

Yields an in-depth history and ideal physician-patient relationship

May not result in detection of factors that predispose the athlete to injury

€Station Examination

Provides athlete with detailed exam in little time

Team of nine is ideal (2 physicians, 2 non-physicians and 5 managers/student athletic trainers)

 

€Medical History

€Physical Examination

€Maturity Assessment

€Orthopedic Screening

€Wellness Screening

 

€Sport Disqualification

€Dictates that athlete makes the final decision

Injury Reports and Injury Disposition

€Injury reports serve as future references

€Reports can shed light on events that may be hazy following an incident

€Necessary in case of litigation